WASHINGTON — U.S. consumers ramped up spending in November on cars, appliances and furniture and made more purchases online, signaling growing confidence in the economy at the start of the Christmas shopping season.

The Commerce Department said Thursday that retail sales rose 0.7 percent, the biggest gain in five months. October’s figure was also revised higher to 0.6 percent.

Two straight months of healthy sales suggest steady hiring is encouraging Americans to spend more this Christmas, particularly on big-ticket items. That could spur economic growth.